Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the Island
The following sites are in central Ayuthaya.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
(admission 50B; 8am-6pm; )
The three magnificent
chedi
(stupas) at Wat Phra Si Sanphet
are the most iconic image in Ayuthaya. Built in the late 15th century, it was the city's
largest temple and was used by several kings. It once contained a 16m-high standing
Buddha (Phra Si Sanphet) covered with 250kg of gold, which was melted down by
Burmese conquerors.
RUIN
Ayuthaya Tourist Center
MUSEUM
( 0 3524 6076;
www.tourismthailand.org/ayutthaya
; 8.30am-4.30pm)
This should be your first
stop in Ayuthaya, as the excellent upstairs exhibition hall puts everything in context and
describes the city's erstwhile glories. Also upstairs is the tiny but interesting Ayuthaya Na-
tional Art Museum. Downstairs, the TAT office has lots of maps and good advice.
Chao Sam Phraya
National Museum
(cnr Th Rotchana & Th Si Sanphet; adult/child 150B/free; 9am-4pm Wed-Sun; )
The largest museum in
the city has 2400 items on show, ranging from a 2m-high bronze-cast Buddha head to
glistening treasures found in the crypts of Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Ratburana.
MUSEUM
Wihaan Phra Mongkhon
Bophit
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
( 8.30am-4.30pm)
Next to Wat Phra Si Sanphet is this sanctuary hall, which houses
one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. This 17m-high figure has undergone
several facelifts due to lightning strikes and fire.
In 1955 the then Burmese Prime Minister donated 200,000B to restore the building, an
act of belated atonement for his country's sacking of the city 200 years before.
